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‘So, that’s Ella Savage,’ he says quietly, a strange look in his eyes.
‘Yeah,’ I reply, my tone neutral but forbidding any further intrusions.
‘She’s beautiful.’
‘I know.’
He raises his glass. ‘Here’s to you.’ And for a moment there’s a tinge of sadness in his face. Then Shane joins us.
‘Hoi,’ he says. ‘What are you guys drinking to?’
‘To Dom,’ Jake says simply.
Shane grins wolfishly. ‘And the very gorgeous Ella.’
I stare at him warningly, even though I know he’s only yanking my chain. We all raise our glasses and drink. And I wonder if it has been a mistake to bring Ella to meet my family. They’re ready for her, but I’m not.
I love Dom’s family. And I don’t say that facetiously. They’re so kind, and I can feel how genuine their welcome is in every word and gesture. I especially warm to Layla. A laughing woman-child, she’s the baby of the family. She throws her arms around me and kisses my cheeks as though we’re long-lost sisters. It’s immediately obvious that everyone loves her to death and is very protective of her.
Her husband, BJ, is another matter, though. He’s the largest man I’ve ever met, with a hugely muscled chest and bulging arms. His eyes are so black it’s impossible to know what he’s thinking. He doesn’t say much—his entire world seems to be made of his wife and their little boy. A highly energetic little thing who crawls around at frightening speed.
Jake, Dom’s oldest brother, is the most mysterious of them all. I wouldn’t want to mess with him. It seems as if he regards all the people gathered in that house as his personal responsibility. Almost as if he’s the alpha and this is his pack. His wife, Lily, is exotically beautiful and friendly, but not overly so. She’s more reserved. His daughter is precocious, a cute little sweetheart whom I instantly fall in love with. We get on like a house on fire. Considering she’s just three years old, I consider that a great victory.
I get a more muted reception from Dom’s mum: outwardly kind and friendly, but sometimes I catch her looking at me warily. I guess I can’t blame her. I’m the dreaded tax investigator. In some ways their kindness makes me feel like an impostor. Someone who’s come to hurt one of them while enjoying their hospitality.
Shane was right—his mother’s roast is wicked!
And thanks to Shane and Layla, lunch is a great laugh. I look at Dom, and realize I’ve never seen him as relaxed as he is with his family. He catches my eyes and smiles at me. A real, genuine smile.
After the meal, I join the women in the kit
chen. Layla opens the freezer and brings out a tub of gin and tonic ice cream.
She looks at me and shakes her head. ‘When I was pregnant I never had any cravings because I was so worried about my baby, but since I gave birth, I can’t stop eating this stuff. I have it made specially. It’s really delicious. Want some?’
‘Uh, no,’ I refuse politely.
‘Just have a little taste,’ she insists, coming to me with the spoon.
‘No, really. I couldn’t. I’m so full.’
‘OK. But if you change your mind, I keep a tub in Dom’s house, too,’ she offers with a smile.
‘Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.’
While Layla stuffs the spoon of ice cream into her mouth, Lily pops her head behind Layla’s and shakes it as if warning me never to try Layla’s ice cream. Hiding a smile, I turn to Dom’s mother. ‘Can I do anything to help, Mrs. Eden?’
‘No, child. Everything’s already done. We all just come in here so my daughter can eat her ice cream.’ She looks out of the window and then back at me. ‘It’s such a beautiful afternoon, I think we’ll have coffee out on the terrace.’
I smile at her. How lucky this family is. I think of my poor parents stuck in their dark, poky flat and feel a little sad for them. And then Rob is in my head, saying how life is unfair. One child born with a golden spoon in its mouth, and another born starving.
‘I really liked your family,’ I tell Dom as we make our way back to London.
He glances at me. ‘Yeah, I think they really liked you too.’
‘I especially liked Layla. She’s so sweet and childlike.’
‘Hmm … Don’t be fooled. Underneath all that sweetness are nerves and determination made of solid steel.’
